THE NED SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023

TASTING NOTE

Punchy aromatics of lemon and lime citrus with undertones of juicy tropical fruits, fill the nose. Plush on the palate, showing juicy grapefruit freshness with lively acidity carrying these classical Waihopai Valley characters to a lengthy finish.

FOOD MATCHING

You will not go amiss with flavours that complement the distinct varietal character in this Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - a style that has a real sense of place. Think seafood and fresh harvested salads loaded with herbs. Try scallops sautéed in garlic butter with a slash of lemon, accompanied by a rocket and herb salad topped with fresh goat’s cheese.  

CELLARING POTENTIAL

Crafted to be enjoyed at the peak of its vibrancy and freshness, we recommend drinking this wine within 2–3 years of vintage date.

ORIGIN

Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

WINEMAKING

The preservation of aromatic and fruit flavours from the vineyard through to the winery is of the utmost importance in our Sauvignon Blanc. This fruit is field destemmed before being gently pressed into stainless steel tanks. The juice is fermented at cool temperatures with selected yeast strains aimed at developing a full flavour spectrum: from green and citrus notes to riper, more tropical flavours.

ANALYSIS

• Alcohol                    13.0%
• pH                            3.16
• Titratable Acidity    7.24g/L
• Residual Sugar        3g/L
• Vegan Certified

VINTAGE

A warm and wet winter spurred an early start to the growing season with fully charged soil moistures and warm ambient temperatures in early spring. The few frosts through September and October did little to disrupt the healthy development of strong, lush canopies.

Flowering began with cooler temperatures and periodic bouts of rain in the early summer, with the weather improving as we headed towards Christmas: typical with respect to warmth, sunshine hours and rainfall. Late summer warmth in late February and March along with careful canopy management, delivered slowly ripened, disease free, incredibly clean fruit!

Harvest commenced in mid-March. Due to the long, cool ripening season, fruit was harvested significantly later than usual but retained all of its vibrancy of flavour and crisp, ripe acids.

The team are excited by the bright, flavour expressions and huge diversity of character coming through in the wines of the 2023 vintage.

GOLD

• Mundus Vini Summer Tasting 2023 - Best of Show New Zealand

92 POINTS

• Cameron Douglas MS 2023

"A classic Ned style with a core of fleshy, fresh and salivating textures, flavours of sweet pink grapefruit and apple, then tropical fruit and fresh herb. There’s a delicious, light saline quality accentuating the acid line as the wine touches the palate, flavours of fresh red apple and citrus then a light touch of fresh green herbs and wet stony soil attributes. A balanced, well made wine with a natural plushness and juicy finish. Best drinking from 2023 through 2027."

90 POINTS

• The Real Review: Bob Campbell 2023 - Top Value

"Fleshy, textural sauvignon with green apple, gooseberry, oyster shell, lime juice and lemongrass flavours supported by lively acidity. Tangy wine with flavours that tend toward the greener end of the spectrum."

Right in the heart of the magical Waihopai Valley, a million miles from anywhere, lies The Ned - one of Marlborough's most famous peaks - and the childhood playground for founder and winemaker, Brent Marris. It's a place where nights are two degrees colder and days two degrees hotter. Where possibilities take hold and good times unfold, where the young at heart thrive. And where there's liveliness and adventure in every bottle.